Syllabus | earthscience

Chemistry A

First Trimester, 2015-2016

Mrs. Dunlap

E-mail: sdunlap@cbcsd.org

phone: 712-328-6493 EXT 301

Website: http://sdunlap5.wix.com/earthscience

Course Description:

Unit 1: Structure and Properties of Matter and the periodic table

Unit 2: Reactions and Bonding

Unit 3: Properties of Elements and Compounds

Class Expectations:

The rules, policies, and procedures laid out by Thomas Jefferson and the Council Bluffs School District will always be enforced and each student should be familiar with them. In addition to the school and district rules, I have some additional expectations:

Come to class prepared and on time.
Respect your fellow student’s personal space and property
Respect everyone’s right to learn, be safe, and have fun.
Follow directions immediately.
Use technology and classroom tools appropriately and respectfully.

Violation of these expectations will result in disciplinary action.

Technology Use:

Cell phones are not to be out during class time and they are definitely not to be used to text or make phone calls. Should anyone need to contact you they will need to follow proper procedure and call the main office. Ipods and other listening devices are not allowed out during class. Ear buds are to be put away during class as well.

If I see any inappropriate technological devices I reserve the right to confiscate them until the end of the period or the end of the day. I will usually give you a warning, but not always and if it becomes a continuing problem further disciplinary action will be taken.

Chromebook Use:

It is against school policy for students to visit any social networking sites or any sites that are inappropriate for school. Students are also not allowed to stream music or video from the internet; these sites eat up the bandwidth and slow down everyone’s connections. If I see students using their chromebooks inappropriately I reserve the right to confiscate the chromebook until the end of the period. If this becomes a continuous problem, further disciplinary action will be taken.

Class Materials:

Students will be required to bring their chromebooks, a notebook, and a writing utensil to class everyday. Students will not be issued books; should a student check out a book it is their responsibility to return it to me.

Absences and Assignments:

It is the student’s responsibility to make up work due to absences. I will have our daily agenda posted in the room and my website each week. Much of our materials will be posted online; when I issue worksheets in class I will have extra copies that you will be responsible for asking for if you miss class.

Homework Policy:

All Assignments must be completed before students will be allowed to take any performance assessments. This includes all daily assignments, labs, and Bell work.

Late Work:

Late work will not be accepted after we have taken the test for a given unit. However, all assignments of a unit must be completed before any performance retakes will be given.

Grading Policy:

We will have 1-2 performances per unit in addition to daily work for each unit. Your grade will comprise of 60% performance and 40% practice. Performances will only be allowed one retake per performance. Additional work will be assigned before a retake may take place and the highest score given on a retake is a 3. Also, do not expect to earn a passing grade in this class by doing the bare minimum. I have high expectations for each and every student. The grade breakdown for my class is as follows:

4: Student understands the material and can communicate that to other students.

3: Student understands the material but not 100%

2: Student understands most of the material but has a ways to go.

1: Student understands little of the material, but has made an attempt.

0: No evidence of understanding

Final thoughts:

Science isn’t just about memorizing facts; it is about learning how to think critically and gather information. My goal is not for you to regurgitate random information; but to use your existing knowledge to investigate and make inquires about problems or questions that you encounter outside of the classroom. So come prepared to think and work every day and we will have a great trimester!

--Mrs. Dunlap